Pneumatic boat



Oct. 25, 1932. w. E. HUFFMAN PNEUMATIG BOAT Filed April 11, 1931 FIG-2.

5 W; NF .2 u Z 5 M M 4 M W Patented Oct. 25, 1932 UNITED STATES WILLIAM E. HUFFMAN, or DAYTON, onro PNEUMATIC BOAT Application filed April 11, 1931. Serial No. 529,497.

(GRANTED UNDER THE ACT OF MARCH 3, 1883, AS AMENDED APRIL 30,1928; 370 0. G. 757) The invention described herein may be manufactured and used by or for the Government for governmental purposes, without the payment to me of any royalty thereon.

This invention relates to a collapsible pneumatic boat, and has for its object to provide a boat of two or more separate inflatable pontoons so arranged in connection with a sectional rigid frame that the boat may be stowed in a small space and which can be quickly and easily assembled for use.

A further object of the invention is to provide a collapsible pneumatic boat of light weight, cheap and simple in construction,

strong durable and eflicient.

With these objects in View, the invention consists of the novel construction of the pontoons, the sectional rigid frame, and in cer- V tain details of construction and combination of parts, all of which will be first fully described and afterwards specifically pointed out in the appended claim.

Referring to the accompanying drawing:

Figure 1 is a top plan view of one of the collapsible inflatable pontoons constructed in accordance with the invention;

Figure 2 is a longitudinal vertical sectional View through the same;

Figure 3 is a top plan view of the assembled boat;

Figure 4 is a side elevation of the same; and

Figure 5 is a transverse vertical sectional view taken on line 55 of Figure 4.

Like numerals of reference indicate the same parts throughout the several figures, in which:

Numeral 1 indicates the boat, which, in the embodiment shown in the drawing, comprises two pontoons 2 of suitable material such as rubberized cloth. The said pontoons are cylindrical in form and are not patterned at their ends, but the said ends are merely flattened as shown in Figure 1 to form a horizon- 5 tally transverse seam 3 (Figure 2) which may be cemented, stitched or otherwise suitably secured. Covering this seam 8 on the outside is a tape 4 preferably cemented in position.

Suitably applied to the outside of each pontoon 2 is a plurality of patches 5 each having lacing eyes 6.

Numeral 7 indicates the frame the sides 8 of which are made up of a plurality of longitudinal side sections 8, which are joined together by means of metal ferrules 9 which receive the ends of the side sections .8.

Secured across the ends of the sides 8, are the end pieces 10 and 11, the latter of which may be constructed to form a suitable support for an outboard engine.

Applied and suitably secured to the pontoons 2 as by cement or otherwise, is the fabric bottom 12 which extends from end to end of the structure and is suitably secured to the said end pieces 10 and 11, to which the pontoons are also secured as by lashings 13, while the said pontoons 2 are also secured to the sides 8 of the frame by lashings 14 passed through the said patches 5. A plurality of thwart carlings 15 and 16 interconnecting the sectional sides 8 of the frame are provided as strengthening members, as shown in Fig. 3, to which seats 18 of any suitable material, such as wood, metal, cloth or the like, may be suitably secured.

Having thus described the invention, its operation is obvious. The parts being assembled as shown in the drawing, the pontoons are inflated through the tubes 17 and the boat is ready for use. An outboard engine of any conventional type may be attached to the aft end piece 11, if desired, though the boat may be otherwise propelled as by cars or paddles as the purpose and conditions of use may require.

lVhile I have shown and described the preferred embodiment of my invention, I consider myself clearly entitled to all such changes and modifications as fall within the limit and scope of the appended claim.

What I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States, is:

A device of the Character describedineluding a plurality of collapsible and inflatable pontoons of cylindrical formation, having their ends flattened to form avhori zontally transverse seam, a plurality of lashing patches on said Pontoons, a frame including ends and sides, the sides being made up of a plurality of sections, to Which the said patches on the" pontoons are lashed; a bottomse'cured to said pontoons and to the said ends, a plurality of thwart carlings connecting the sectional sides of the frame and seats carried by said carlings.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature.

WILLIAM E. HUFFMAN. 

